Land uses: An understanding for sustainable action

yinka ogunlami

November 30, 2016 4:43 PM

Urbanisation in form of residential, commercial and industrial areas has led to creation of impervious surfaces (road networks, building, sidewalks and so on) at different level.

Land uses: An understanding for sustainable action

Nature has endowed upon us, different land covers which are but not limited to forest areas, water bodies, wetlands, grasslands and agricultural land.

These I believe were in the right measure to attend to the basic needs of man. At the same time, I will agree with JunJie Wu whom in his publication on the topic Land Use Changes: Economic, Social, and Environmental Impacts stated that Land use change is necessary and essential for economic development and social progress.

Man’s modification of the natural environment has had and is still having its diverse effects upon humans and the natural environments. In most cases, these modifications are carried out without considering what might be left for the future generation. The question which ought to be at the back of our mind when justifying this action should be: What is the cost of this action?

When our forests are lowered to become farmlands, the wildlife species are lost or become endangered. When Farmlands in turn are converted to residential and industrial areas, this brings about a reduction in agricultural products (therefore, the need for genetic modification to address the issue of hunger in an ever increasing population).

Urbanisation in form of residential, commercial and industrial areas has led to creation of impervious surfaces (road networks, building, sidewalks and so on) at different level. These impervious surfaces lead to decrease in rainwater infiltration which is an essential process for plant growth and ground water recharge. On the other hand, impervious surfaces prevent tree roots aeration, thereby bringing about reduction in urban forest and the canopy shade that would otherwise moderate urban climate.

While clearing vegetated areas to attended to human needs in most cases, gives way to the creation of bare surfaces. These bare surfaces increase the erosion potential of the area because of the non-presence of adequate cover to prevent the topsoil from being washed away by rain or wind.

With this little exposure on land use processes, one owns the environment and the future generation the duty of finding a way to strike balance between urbanisation and environmental protection, taking into account linkages among land use, poverty, and the environment.

Balancing environmental and economic objectives requires a land management strategy that facilitates the land market and protects sensitive land and cultural resources. This should be a collective effort of both the citizens and its government.

yinka ogunlami